Can Good Stress (a.k.a. Excitement) Cause a Herpes Outbreak?

Understanding how “happy stress” can still affect your body

We usually think of stress as something negative — deadlines, bills, conflicts, or sleepless nights. But what about good stress? You know, the butterflies before a big date, the thrill of a new job, or the excitement of a long-awaited vacation. Can that kind of stress trigger a herpes outbreak too?

Surprisingly… yes, it can.

That doesn’t mean you should stop feeling happy or excited (definitely not!). But understanding how all types of stress affect your body — even the fun kind — can help you stay a step ahead of your outbreaks and take better care of yourself.

The Science Behind “Good” Stress

Our bodies don’t really distinguish between “good” and “bad” stress. Whether you’re nervous before a presentation or thrilled about a romantic weekend getaway, your body still releases stress hormones like cortisol and adrenaline.

These hormones can:

temporarily suppress your immune system,
increase inflammation, and
disrupt sleep and digestion — all of which can make it easier for the herpes virus to become active.

So, yes — that big happy event you’ve been waiting for might still put your body under stress. And for people who live with herpes, that’s sometimes enough to trigger an outbreak.

Common Examples of “Good Stress” Triggers

You might notice patterns like:

Before a vacation – excitement mixed with travel prep, changes in diet, and sleep disruption.
New romantic relationships – all those emotions and adrenaline can be both thrilling and draining.
Big life changes – getting married, moving homes, or starting a new job — even if it’s all positive!
Exercise highs – overtraining, even when you feel great, can stress your body physically.

If you notice a connection between exciting events and your outbreaks, you’re not imagining it. Your body’s stress response system is simply working overtime.

So, What Can You Do?

1. Balance your excitement with grounding

Enjoy the good moments, but remember to breathe, eat, and rest. Simple practices like meditation, short walks, or deep breathing can help regulate your nervous system so your body doesn’t confuse excitement with alarm.

And if you’re ready to go a little deeper, explore Elizabeth’s Nervous System Course. It’s designed to help you understand your body’s responses, regulate stress naturally, and retrain your system to feel safe — even during high-energy, emotional, or exciting times. Many members of the Secret Society community have found that calming their nervous system not only reduced outbreaks but also improved their overall sense of peace and connection.

2. Prepare your body before high-energy events

If you know something big is coming up — a wedding, a trip, or a first date — support your immune system beforehand. Stay hydrated, prioritize sleep, and take your supplements like monolaurin or immune support blends that help your body stay resilient.

3. Keep your wellness tools nearby

Excitement doesn’t have to lead to an outbreak if you’re proactive. Use your Everyday Wellness Oil daily to keep your skin calm and resilient, and if you do feel the tingle of an outbreak, have Fix-it Salve ready to soothe the area quickly.

Stress Is Not the Enemy

Here’s the good news — excitement is part of living fully. You don’t need to avoid joy or adrenaline. The goal isn’t to eliminate stress altogether (impossible!) but to manage your body’s response to it.

An important and great way to deal with stress is to get prepared. Do you get an outbreak when you're excited about your date? Think about it. Talk about it. Write about it. It's important to address the issue, and think about the worst outcome: Outbreak on vacations : What's the worst thing I will have to deal with, if that happens?

Yes, even happy moments can trigger a herpes outbreak, but that doesn’t mean you should hold back from living your best life. It just means your body is asking for balance — for calm alongside the chaos, for rest alongside the rush.

So go ahead, fall in love, take that trip, dance at that wedding. Just remember to take your wellness toolkit with you — both your emotional one and your physical one. 💛

Elizabeth’s Nervous System Course

Nov 12, 2025 07:06pm

By Sabina Gaspirc

Under Outbreak Prevention

4 min read